Wall base construction



NL NELSSON WALL. BASE CONSTRUCTION April 27, 1954 Filed June 4, 1949 `April 27, 1954 N, NELSSON 2,676,483

WALL BASE CONSTRUCTION lFiled 'June 4, 1949 5 sheets-sheet 2 April 27, 1954 N. NELssoN 2.6769483 WALL BASE CONSTRUCTION Filed June' 4, 1949 5 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. M 7m@ N. NELSSON WALL BASE CONSTRUCTION April 27, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 4,

Filed June 4, 1949 IWW April 27, 1954 N. NELssoN 2,676,483

WALL BASE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 4, 1949 5 Shets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 2,7, 1954 UNITEDy STATS WALL4 BASE CONSTRUCTION Nels Nelsson, Chicago, Ill., assigner' to United States Gypsum' Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application .lune 4, 1949, Serial No. 97,219

(Cl. 'l2-L46) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a Wall construction from plaster and laminated gypsum boardand more particularly to an improved metal base system of erection. g

The use of solid partitions usually or" 2" thickness has become increasingly popular in the building industry', particularly in large apartment housing projects, where a savings of several inches in the width of each partition will give a marked accumulative savings in space.

The plaster type ofV solid partitions are erected by the application of plaster upon both sides of a plaster base support, usually expanded metal lath or plaster board. These plaster bases are either erected against supporting stud members such as metal channels or Without any vertical support at all, depending upon tension in the case of the metall lath or temporary bracing in the case or" the plaster board for support.

The systems of erection now being used by the industry are complicated by a wide range of clip and runners, with each type of plaster base and method or support requiringra different arrangement of members. The same is true for solid wallboard partitions.

It has been found that the greatest' variation and complexity in constructing these solid partitions is in the base system used to anchor the partition to the door and in mounting' side plates which are used as a screed base forl the application of the plaster or as a molding. Hence, if a system oi forming the base could be developed which would be of universal application to all the common means of supporting plaster in the preparation of solid plaster partition a decided advancement in the art would be accomplished. rIhis invention, which' will be subsequently more clearly set forth, discloses a system which not only gives simplification of construction andease in erection but also is a decided improvement over any of the other systems currently in use.

It is therefore an object of this invention to set forth an improved solid'plaster and wallboard partition.

It is an object of'ths invention to disclose an improved metal base system for solid: partitions.

It is an object of this inventionto disclose a metal base system which can be used Witheither metal lath or boardv type bases either mounted against stud members or alone.

It is also an object of this invention to disclose an improved and novel metal means of mounting metal side plates to supporting clips applicable toa wide range: of partitions or wall constructions.-

It is an object of this invention to disclose a door clip which can be adapted to practically any type of solid plaster partition.

It is a further object of this invention to disclose a floor clip which can be used with solid wallboardV partitions.

It is a further object of this invention to set forth a novel method of erecting a base or screed to only one side of a plaster base.

It is a still further object of this invention to disclose a method of furring a plaster wall from an existing Wall using expanded metal lath and channel supporting studs.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a base on which the side plates are adjustable to conform in measure to irregular oor surfaces.

Various other objects of this invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art of which this is a part.

rlhis invention is best understood by means of drawings in which the same number designates a similar member throughout all the drawings.

Figures IA andv B are different viewsV of a floor clip which can be used in forming' a metal base for solid plaster partitions.

Figure II is a detail of the side plates.

Figure III is a detail of the mounting of the side plates shown in Fig. II to the clip of Figs. IA and B and illustrates the position before the base is iorcedin place.

Figure IV is the same as Fig. III except that the side plate is in its nal position.

Figure V illustrates a solid plaster partition using metal lath and channel' studs.

Figure VI shows howv the floor clip illustrated in Fig. I can be used to form studless metal lath partitions.

Figure VII shows a side and sectional view of a splice plate which can be used'ior joining. two side plates together' at their ends to form' a continuous runner and also to secure the side'plates to an existingwall,

Figure` VIIA is a cross-sectional View of the plate 49 shown in Figure VII.

Figure VIII shows a solid plaster partition using a wallboard as a base.

Figure IX shows the method' of grouting the space between the side plates to form a vl-shaped recess for positioning the wallboard plaster base used to form the partition shown in' Fig; VIII.

Figure X showsv the application of thisinvention to a furred Wall.

Figure XI' shows themethod of joining a metal doorbuck to a modification of the clipv shown in-Fig. XIII'.

Figure XII illustrates an adaptation of the base system forming a part of this invention to the application of plaster directly to a masonry wall.

Figure XIII is another form of clip following this invention and is adapted to solid wallboard partitions.

Figure XIV is another modification of a clip for attaching the side plates and adapted to secure a wallboard in position for the application of plaster to form a solid partition.

Figure XV illustrates the attachment of the side plates to the clip shown in Fig. XIV.

Figure XVI is a View of a partition giving an application of the clip shown in Figs. XIV and XV.

Figure XVII is a cross sectional view through the base of the partition shown in Fig. XVI.

Figures XVIIIA and B are sectional views of the side plate itself alone and in attached relation with a floor clip.

Figure XIX is a horizontal sectional view showing the wallboard used as a plaster base being held in place by the clips shown in Fig. XIV.

Figure XX shows the base portion of a solid wallboard partition using the clip shown in Fig. XIII.

Figure XXI is a clip used to erect solid wallboard partition in which there are wires and conduits passing thereunder.

Figure XXII is another application similar to Fig. XXI.

Figure XXIII illustrates the use of the splice plate as a clip for holding the side plate to a wall such as a 2" solid plaster partition having a wooden type of floor runner.

Figure XXIV is an application of the clip shown in Fig. XXI to the erection of solid wallboard partitions.

This invention uses the well known principle of forming a metal base by placing two side plates astraddle a center supporting member but in a novel and much more simplified manner than any heretofore found in the art. Previous to this invention, these screed base runners or side plates were made with both edges bent inward so as to form a channel having a dovetail-like cross-section. These channel-like screed base runners were secured to floor clips having side members of a shape which engaged the inward portion of the channels. See for example U. S. Patents 2,368,620; 2,331,745; 2,321,671; 2,321,304. In order to apply this prior art dovetail principle of anchoring it is necessary to use some type of tilting principle for engaging the dovetail portion of the base to the anchoring member. This entails considerable extra work in the field. Also these methods were al1 limited to a metal lath type of partition or at least to one having studs. No system alleging to be applicable to both metal lath and a wallboard type plaster base is believed to be in existence prior to this invention.

This invention dispenses with the dovetail method of anchoring the side members and uses instead a spring type of friction engagement between a supporting clip and the side plate which is quickly and easily applied with the added advantage that any irregularity in the surface of the floor can be readily compensated for. With this invention there is ample vertical movement which permits a wide variation in the elevation of adjacent clips and still maintain a straight alinement of the side plates.

This invention does not depend upon an interlocking of the lower flange with the support though a modified form can be used if desired.

It is not essential to an effective operation of this invention. The clips and the side plates are bent in such a way that the lower edge is held against the clips by means of a spring action developed by the upper portion of the side plates engaging a projection at the terminating ends of the supporting clip.

The outstanding purpose of this invention is to introduce to the building trade an improved method of making a metal base in which the joint between a supporting clip member and a continuous side plate is formed by a spring-like engagement of a fiange along the upper edge of the side plate and a curved projection extending outward from the base clip.

The side plate, or elongated runner member, is U-shaped in cross-section and consists of an upper or iirst flange i, a web and an angularly disposed lower or second flange c, both flanges extending longitudinally and outwardly from a common face. The rsi; flange has a leg 3 integral with the edge remote from the web and extends towards the lower ange in converging relationship with the web. This forms a U-shaped socket into which the supporting clip is inserted. There are a number of types of clips which can be used to support the runner member, following this invention; all have an elongated runner support portion which terminates in a free edge fl of a projection angularly disposed with respect to the remaining portion of the runner support forming an acute angle therewith and extending away from the main portion of the clip. The projecting portion of the clip is inserted into the U-shaped socket so that the free edge l rests against or resiliently engages the common face of the web from which the flanges extend. rIhis forces the leg 3 outwardly which, owing to the resiliency of the sheet-metal forming the socket, causes the second flange to tightly contact the lower portion of the clip i. e., the runner support. There is also a slight bowing or bending of the web in the direction of the support. Holes 35 can be made in the leg 3 of the flange I in order to facilitate keying of plaster thereto.

If it is desired that the elongated runner be substantially plumb, it is important that the distance the free edge d of the angular projection of the runner support, i. e., the distance "a (see Figure XVIIIB) between the common face of the web of the runner and the runner support, be the same as the distance "a i. e., the eX- tent of the terminating edge of the second flange from the common face of the web. The center of the runner will be slightly less than this dimension owing to a slight bowing of the web inwardly.

In order to have a proper attachment of the clip, the leg 3 must be sprung away from the web such as by resting on the elongated runner support 'l as shown in Figure XVIII. Thus the distance "b in Figure XVIIIA should be less than c plus the thickness of the runner support. The distance b should not be too small for otherwise it would be difiicult to insert the runner in the clip. It is also important that the upper surface of the angular projecting portion of the clip be smooth so that it can act as a guide in spreading out the leg thus giving greater ease in inserting the runner over the clip. The vertical member 'i can be strengthened, if necessary, by stamping in the stiiiening member 39.

The shape of the runner can be varied greatly so as to conform to almost any desired ornamental configuration as long as there is an interegevfeylss locking actionl between the upper flange of` the runner and the projection from'- the clip.

The type of joint betweena base runner and a supportingl clip forming the subject of" this invention can be usedmost any wall construction system by novel adaptations whichV will be more clearly set forth. It isespecially useful in erecting solid plasterv and wallboard partitions either used with metal lath orl wallboard as a plaster base and with or without a channel support. The following examples*illustratek the simplicity, adaptability, and ease or" erection afforded by this novel method of joining a base runner to a supporting clip in the erection of solid plaster partitions.

Clips such as shown in-Figs. I, A- and B are attached individually to the floor followingl the line of the partition. A'fnail or other anchoring means is passed through the hole 8 thus securing the clip to the floor. The curved vertical runner support member 'I forming. an intergal part of the clip engages the free leg 3 of the flange I or" the runner 2 and causes the leg 3 tospring outward in the manner described above and shown in Figs. III, IV and XVIIIB. The runner is merely placed over the member '1, so that proper contact and alignment are made, see Fig. III, and then pushed into position-as shown in Fig. IV by stepping on it.

Since there is a considerable depth to the spring forming portion of the runner 2 and the vertical runner support member 'I' an appreciable vertical distance between various ilocr clips can exist and still give an alignment-l of the runner. This wide range of vertical` adjustments for the runner is a decided advantage in securing partitions to irregular floors and is not present in any of the other systems of a similar nature now in use.

When both runnershave been attached to the clip, the channels 33 are then erected by inserting into the struck out members 9, extending upward and parallel from one face of the web portion 3d, see Figures I and V. 'Ihese channels can also be applied before the side plates are inserted, if desired. The upper portions of the channels are anchored to the ceiling in any suitable manner such as-to the .Z member lil, one leg of which is secured to the ceiling. Metal lath I Ir is then secured to the channel, and plaster I2 is applied to the space between the runners and to each side of the metal lath using the runners as a screed or guide. 'Ihe runners can also be applied after the metal lath has been installed. This is a d-ecided advance over other systems currently in use. The runners can be left exposed and if desired the plaster can be recessed from the runners to leave a reveal. The runners can be covered by a molding lS-if desired.

If the metal lath is to be applied without studs then a pencil rod or similar flexible horizontal member I4 is wired to the bottom of the expanded lath and secured to the base by means of the clip it shown in Fig. VI extending through the hole I6 in the clip 5. In order to form the hole the channel supporting member 9 is pushed downward. rihe rod or horizontal member can rest in the notched section` 36, in the web 3/3 of the clip 5. The upper portion of the lath is secured to a ceiling runner,not shown, by methods well known in the art. The pencil rod.l or the like is placed on the door clip and the clip l5 inserted. The metal lath is thensecured to the horizontal member by wiring. This. system hasthe added advantage that" the pencil rod. deects` when the lath is wired thereto. This flexing-ofthe member permits a tensionA to be applied to the entire-metal lath which would become loosened when additional portions are anchored nearby if a stiff member is used. Plaster is applied to both sides in the same manner as with channels. However, it is necessary that one side be scratched and set iirst before the other is applied and a temporary bracing of one side may be-necessary.

When the clip 5 isto be usedy withV agypsum board plaster base the individualV clips a-resecured to the floor and the runners attached thereto in the same manner as described above and the space between the runners is grouted with plaster to form a V I8, down the center, see Fig. IX. The lath shouldbe full ceilingV height and is applied vertically with the upper end engaging a channel-like ceiling runner, such as Il in Fig. XVI, secured to the ceiling of the space to b-e partitioned. The lower end of the board engages the V I8, formed down the center, in the manner illustrated in Fig. VIII. The lath is temporarily braced upon one side. by any suitable means and a plaster scratch coat is applied to the opposite side. Ihe brace is removed, after the plaster has set, and a plaster coat is appliedl to the brace side. Though plaster canbe applied to both sides before removing the brace. After the plaster has set, the remaining coats are,` applied to'both sides as the partition is now suioiently rigid for the purpose without further bracing. The runners are used as a guide for screeding the plaster to a denite thickness. A molding not shown, can be applied along the floor line tocover the runner, though it is preferred not todo so. It is also possible to cut back the plaster from the side plate to leave a reveal which is in thenature of a molding.

This invention is also applicable toa dry wall type of solid wallboard partition in which several layers of gypsum or other types of wallboard are used. In this case clips It, similar to that shown in Fig. XIII, are applied to the floor of the area to be partitioned by inserting any suitable anchoring means such as a screw through the notched portion 20. These clips consist of a U- shaped piece of metal with the terminating ends i ilared outward to engage the free leg 3 of the runner 2 in the same manner as described above.

It is a desirable feature ofY this invention to have one leg of the above floor clip longer than the other to aid in positioning the boards therein. The gypsum boards 3S are applied to theclip and laminated together by means of a suitable adhesive 3l, see Fig. XX. 'Ihe lamination of some of the boards can be done-at the factory with only the minimum amount of gluing while in place. For example the two outside gluings can be done elsewhere with only the center glue line formed on the job. The partition isanchcred to the ceiling by securing one leg of anangle runner thereto and placing gypsum board panels on each side of the other leg as is well known in the industry. Screws can be applied through both board laminae and the ceiling angle tosecure-the partition thereto. The joints of the outside surfaces of the wallboards can be treated in the same manner as for regular dry wall construction. The runners are then secured to the clips in the same manner as described previously. Instead of being an integral part of the wall, as in the case of the plaster type of partition, the runners are more in. the nature. of a moulding and can serve for such a purpose.

While not entirely necessary, itV is sometimes 7 desirable to place tooth-like projections 23, or punched out projection 4i along the outside of the leg 40', forming the U, see Figures XV and XIII. The clip, illustrated in Fig. XIII, shows the long leg 40, with the projection, while none are shown in the shorter leg 42, though they can be used if desired. These projections engage the bottom flange S of the runners and hold them firmly in place. These projections can be of any type of construction and may extend entirely across the face of the clip.

A modification of the above type of clip can be used for a solid plaster partition using a board as a plaster base. Figure XIV shows such a type of clip 2l in which the struckout prongs 22 engage the board type plaster base or lath to hold it in the center. This clip can also have a serrated edge 23 which engages the lower or second flange 5 of the runner 2, to secure it in place, see Fig. XV. However as in the case of clip i9, it is not entirely necessary as the spring action of the clip holds the runner securely against the side of the clip. The clips are applied to the iioor in a straight line and the boards 26 inserted therein and into a channel ll attached to the ceiling. Full length boards applied vertically should be used. See Fig. XVI. Figure XVII shows a verticai section of the base and Fig. XK illustrates how the prongs 22 holds the board 26 in place.

This invention is also adaptable to the furring of plaster from wall 25, such as that made from masonry, as shown in Fig. X. In which case, the clip 24 is applied to the oor adjacent the surface of the wall in the manner illustrated. This clip is exactly like 5, shown in Figures I, A and B,

with the exception that one of the vertical side runner support members is removed. The screed base or runner and channels are then applied and metal lath secured to the channels and plastered.

The invention also can be used in the application of plaster to a wall such for example as 2l, in Fig. XII. A different type of clip 28 is used in which a prong 29 having a curved configuration, like that in Figures I, A and B, is struck out from its base. The struck out portion of the clip is placed into the iiange i, of the runner 2 and twisted upwards into place whence it is nailed or otherwise secured to the base 2l. The clip can be attached iirst and the runners added afterwards by forcing the upper ange of the side plate over the projection 29, so that the edge i will engage the inside of the runner. Because of the closeness of the clip to the wall, it may be more convenient to use the former procedure. Plaster can be applied to the base in the usual manner using the runner as a screed.

The splice plate 48, shown in Fig. VII is used to join the ends of adjacent screeds or runners together to form a continuous runner. They are joined together by inserting the clip into the U- shaped socket or each adjacent runner as though it was being used as a clip for securing the runner in place. This simple formation of a splice between adjoining runners is an important application of this invention. 'I'he splice plate consists of a unitary piece of sheetmetal 49, bent at one edge to form an angular projection with the free end or bearing point il so that it can engage the ange l in the same manner as for clip 5. The splice plate can also be used as a clip to engage the runner when it is secured to a wall already erected such as for the purpose of serving as a screed in applying a coat of plaster or as a moulding. See Figure XXIII. In this case, the body member and the elongated runner support are substantially the same portion of the clip, being substantially a piece of sheetmetal. It is this type of clip in which a flat portion of a piece of sheetmetal serves as both the runner support and the body portion that is referred to as being formed from a unitary piece of sheetmetal. The splice plate 48 is secured to the wall by screws or nails passing through the opening 30. The runners are attached thereto by springing out the splice plate and causing the point 4 of the clip to bear against the web portion of the runner in the usual manner. In Fig. XXIII, the splice plate 48 is :applied to a solid plaster partition erected on a wooden base runner and the side plate secured thereto. This serves as a moulding for the side of the partition. Various other applications of the splice plate to wall construction will readily occur to those skilled in the art of which this invention is a part.

It is important that the hole 30 in the splice plate be located properly for if the holes are too low, the runner will spring out too much and if too high it will interfere with inserting the leg 3.

Another modification of this invention is shown in Fig. XI for use with metal or steel door bucks. In which case most any of the clips described above can be used with the exception that a notch 3i is formed in the flared position of the clip for the insertion of the metal door buck frame 32. This has the advantage of a rm anchoring of the buck at the base and gives a good interlocking of all parts at the joint of the buck and the base.

It is possible to use this invention in the erection oi solid wallboard partitions in which pipes, conduits, wires, etc. are placed along the base and under the partition. An example of this type of application is shown in Fig. XXI in which #33 is a clip secured to the oor by any suitable means, not shown, and i4 an inverted elongated channel type of clip the legs of which engage the :door clip thus securing it in place. The rloor clip 43 can also be placed concave upwards thus giving a more secured bearing to the side of the channel clip but it may be more difcult to engage. Gther types of anchoring means also can be used. Splice plates such as 48 are secured to holes in the side of the clip M by means of screws or other means. This forms a recess for inserting wallboard panels in an application similar tc that shown in Fig. XXIV. In this gure, 5l are wallboard panels, 'it the clips and 48 the side plate. Number l5 are wires passing under the partition. The runners, as described earlier but not shown, are attached to the splice plates d8 in order to cover the opening under the partition.

Figure XXII is another application of this same invention to solid wallboard partitions in which conduits are placed along and under the base of the partition. A U-shaped clip, such as 42 shown in Fig. XIII, is secured to the floor and an inverted U or channel shaped clip 45 is placed over the clip; a notch in the edges of the clip 45 facilitates engaging the clip 32. Wires 46 are shown in place. A partition can be formed using this clip in the same manner as illustrated in Fig. XXIV.

Various modifications of this invention can be made by those skilled in the art of which this invention is a part and still not depart from its scope which is the erection of solid partitions and also plastered Wall by the utilization of a novel metal base system which permits a minimum number of types of floor clips to be used with a wide range of construction and which utilizes an improved joint between the base clip and runners forming the base in which the runners are secured at its top only by a spring-like and irictional attachment in a manner which permits ease of erection with a wide range of construction system and with an irregular floor level.

Although there has been disclosed a practical embodiment of this invention and specific eX- amples and uses which are given to insure an understanding of the essence of this invention, it is not the intention to be limited thereby for obviously many variations may be made by those skilled in the art and still be within the scope of this invention, which is only limited by the forthcoming claims.

Iclaim:

l. In combination a clip and an elongated runner member, said clip including a body portion with means thereon for attaching said clip to a base structure and a substantially rigid, elongated runner support, said runner support being integral with said body portion and disposed in angular relationship therewith, one end of said runner support having a projection angularly disposed with respect to the remaining portion thereof and forming an acute angle therewith, said projection extending away from the body portion of said clip, said runner member being substantially U-shaped in cross-section and including a web, and a rst and second flange along the longitudinal edges thereof, said flanges being positioned on a common face of Said web, said rst flange including a leg integral with the edge remote from said Web, said leg extending toward said second ange in converging relationship with the web, thereby providing a substantially U- shaped socket adjacent one edge of the web, the elements of said socket being resiliently related to each other, said second flange forming an angle with the web, the projection of said runner support positioned within said socket with the free edge thereof resiliently engaging said common tace of the web, the remote edge of said second ange engaging the runner support at the other end thereof, whereby the resilient engagement of the projection with the resiliently related elements of said U-shaped socket forces the free edge of said second flange into tight contacting relationship with said other end of said runner support.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said clip is formed from a unitary piece of sheetmetal.

References Cited in the le Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,485,262 Flagg Feb. 26, 1924 1,767,575 Bujack June 24, 1930 1,981,240 McNeil Nov. 20, 1934 2,038,115 Keller Apr. 21, 1936 2,046,649 Nordmark July 7, 1936 2,048,153 Wollaeger July 21, 1936 2,150,061 Holdsworth Mar. 7, 1939 2,202,881 Winslow June 4, 1940 2,269,384 Spinosa Jan. 6, 1942 2,299,537 Goldsmith et al. Oct. 20, 1942 2,317,634 Olsen Apr. 27, 1943 2,321,304 McNeil June 8, 1943 2,340,891 Manofsky Feb. 8, 1944 2,358,277 Manofsky Sept. 12, 1944 2,390,857 Tucker Dec. 11, 1945 2,401,062 Fellom May 28, 1946 2,527,216 Harris Oct. 24, 1950 OTHER REFERENCES The Architectural Record, March 1934, page 21. 

